Sunflowers in Silk Ribbon Embroidery

Hi  Everyone, 

Sorry it has been so long.  You know what it is like, 

not enough hours in the day.

You have your day planned out and 

then *** bingo, it takes a whole new direction. 

These days most of my time seems to be taken

up with administration and not so much time

actually doing SRE.  It is so peaceful to just

spend the time working with Silk Ribbons,

sometimes I even get withdrawal symptoms.

I took some photos of these brilliant
Sunflowers while in Brisbane

earlier this year.

So large bright and cheery, even
with showers threatening

overhead.

The Silk Ribbon I am using is a 

hand dyed

Dinky Dyes 4 mm. Wattle.

Available from 
Daisys Garden Online.

One flower took less
than 1 metre.

There are many varieties of Sunflowers with a varying

number of petals, but for this exercise I am creating 

24 Petals.

So logically you need to average 6 petals in each quarter, slightly crossing over into the next.

Step 1:  On Main Fabric -
Mark out a circle for the 
Full Version with a diameter of  
3.5 cms.  ( 1 1/4 inches )
and an inner circle of  1.5 cms.
(1/2 inch ).
Button: As per the Cosmos 
Tutorial make the centre of the 
Sunflower, by working  it 
separately on a piece
of calico or cotton.
(Placed firmly in a Hoop )
marking the area the same 
size 1.5 cms. ( 1/2 inch).


 
 
Step 2: Using Embroidery Thread,
fill the calico button with
French Knots. 
 
Inner area: 
Firm French Knots :- 2 wraps
2 strands Green 
1  Strand Mustard Yellow.
Outer area:  
Loose Knots :- 3 wraps
2 strands Brown
1 strand Mustard Yellow.
Cut around as shown.

Step 3:  With double Sewing Thread
make small tacking stitches approx.
5 mm. from the Knots and gather 
the calico neatly underneath, tie
off securely, so it does not loosen.
Leave cotton and  embroidery
threads attached.  Put aside.





Step 4:  Main Fabric.
Proceed with Ribbon Stitches
starting at the inner marked circle,
and ending with  the needle
through just outside  the outer circle.
Not every petal has to be perfect, make 
some folded or twisted, for a more 
realistic flower head.

 

Step 5: With all the Petals 
completed it may not look 
effective, but it will
once you have added the 
premade button.


Place it in the centre stitching down 
firmly with the sewing thread.

Add  tacking stitches with the
matching embroidery threads around
the outside, so that the calico does
not show through.

Step 6:

 Leaves added in 13 mm. Bottle Green Silk Ribbon

 appearing  from between the flower petals.

For instructions on Folded Ribbon Stitch you may refer to the tutorial on the Iris

Side Ribbon Stitch Tulip Tutorial

Another option for Sunflower is to create

the Ribbon Stitches as shown and add

Seed Beads for the Centre.

Silk Ribbon Embroidery is always enhanced with

the addition of Stitches in thread.

Adding stems, leaves, background detail, 

french knots centres to name a few.

You will notice a new link at the top right 

of the screen, Stitch Dictionary, with the

compliments of Sharon from Pin Tangle an

accomplished embroiderer and online teacher

with a vast knowledge of textiles.

Should you be in need of stitch instructions

or looking for a new decorative stitch for a

project by all means have a look at this site. 

The beach at sunset overlooking Great Keppel

Island, where I am living at the moment.

I missed a great photo opportunity this morning,

two dolphins playing near the shore and have 

vowed to take the camera with me in 

future.

Enjoy.


Carol Daisy